Trump Receives Ancient Korean Crown Replica in Gyeongju

In a symbolic and visually striking moment during his visit to South Korea, former President Donald J. Trump was presented with a meticulously crafted replica of a 1,500-year-old golden crown from the Silla Kingdom. The gift, handed over by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the historic city of Gyeongju, drew immediate global attention—not least because Trump has occasionally compared himself to royalty.

A Crown Fit for a Controversial Figure

The replica, modeled after one of South Korea’s most treasured archaeological finds, was excavated in 1973 from the Cheonmachong tomb—a burial site believed to belong to either the 21st or 22nd ruler of the Silla dynasty. Known as the “Golden Kingdom,” Silla (57 B.C.–935 A.D.) dominated the Korean Peninsula and left behind a legacy of opulent gold artifacts.

Standing about a foot tall, the crown features a delicate gold headband with upright, tree-like prongs, dangling chains of leaf-shaped ornaments, and finely wired jade pendants. During the handover ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum, Trump called the gift “very special” and expressed interest in wearing South Korea’s highest honor—the Grand Order of Mugunghwa—right away.

Why Gyeongju—and Why a Crown?

Gyeongju, once the capital of Silla, is often called “the museum without walls” due to its abundance of royal tombs, temples, and relics scattered across the city. Despite lacking the infrastructure of Seoul or Busan, South Korean officials chose Gyeongju as the host city for this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to spotlight the nation’s cultural heritage.

According to President Lee’s spokesperson, the crown symbolizes “the divine connection between heavenly authority and earthly sovereignty” and reflects “the spirit of Silla, which brought peace to the Korean Peninsula for the first time.” The gesture was intended as a mark of deep respect—but also carried layers of historical and political nuance.

Public Reaction and Irony

The timing of the gift is striking. Just weeks earlier, “No Kings” rallies erupted across U.S. cities, with demonstrators criticizing Trump for what they described as autocratic tendencies and regal self-comparisons. Though Trump has previously embraced royal imagery, he publicly denied being a monarch, stating, “I’m not a king.”

Still, the image of Trump standing beside a glass case containing a golden crown—while wearing a sash and medal from South Korea’s highest civilian honor—has already gone viral on social media, with commentators debating whether the moment was diplomatic, ironic, or both.

Inside the Silla Crown: A Quick Guide

Feature	Symbolism
Gold headband	Royal authority and permanence
Tree-like prongs	Connection to the heavens; shamanistic roots
Jade pendants	Purity, protection, and nobility
Chain ornaments	Harmony between ruler and people

Trump did not attempt to wear the replica—displayed in a protective glass case—but later toured the museum to view the original artifact, according to White House officials.